Back Injury After a Car Accident in Queens, NY

Anyone who has suffered a back injury knows how debilitating it can be. Even a relatively mild muscle strain can limit mobility and cause intense pain. More severe harm can require intensive medical treatments and lead to extended time off work. The most serious back injuries can even lead to permanent paralysis, completely disrupting every aspect of your life.

If you have suffered a back injury after a car accident in Queens, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your losses. At The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., we have extensive experience winning injury claims for New Yorkers in their time of need. We understand that filing a back injury claim can be stressful, and the last thing you need right now is more stress in your life. Let our skilled attorneys handle the legal challenges while you focus on healing. Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation with a back injury attorney in Queens.

How Our Attorneys Can Help If You Have Back Injuries After a Car Crash

New Yorkers have a right to pursue compensation for a back injury after a car accident. This process should be straightforward. However, many back injury victims struggle with insurance companies that create obstacles, cause delays, minimize payouts, or deny claims altogether. These issues are particularly challenging for injured individuals who do not have legal representation.

Working with a knowledgeable Queens car accident attorney can give you the support you need at this moment in your life. At The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., our legal team is ready to help you by:

• Listening attentively and compassionately to your story so we can assess your case and develop a solid plan of action
• Investigating the accident to determine what happened and identify any possible sources of financial compensation
• Calculating the full value of your injury-related losses, including projected future expenses
• Negotiating aggressively with the insurance companies for a fair compensation package
• Representing you in court if necessary and fighting tirelessly for your rights

Why Choose The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. to Help with Your Back Injury Claim?

When you’re struggling with back pain after a Queens car accident, you deserve to be able to focus on getting treatment and regaining your health and mobility. You shouldn’t have to manage a complex and time-consuming back injury claim on your own.

This is where The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. comes in. With over 120 years of combined legal experience, our Floral Park personal injury firm provides clients in Queens and the neighboring communities with highly personalized, comprehensive legal support. We bring that knowledge and skill to challenging back injury cases like yours and commit to maintaining a smaller caseload so we can provide you with the care and attention you deserve.

When you turn to The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. for representation after a car accident, you can trust us to take an aggressive approach to pursuing the compensation you need to move forward. Our experienced attorneys come prepared to fight and demand big results – we’ve recovered millions for our clients, including six- and seven-figure settlements and trial awards for car accident victims.*

As one client wrote about her experience with us:

“I appreciate their professionalism. The attorneys and staff handled my case with a caring attitude. Their team is very organized and always called me with updates. The Tadchiev Law Firm offered me the best solution for my case. If you seek help with them they will your case settle for what it is worth. I would recommend them to anyone who has been in any kind of accident. Special thank you to Natalya.” – Magdalena M. 

How to Prove a Back Injury Was Caused by a Car Accident

To recover compensation for a back injury after a car accident, you’ll have to do more than just show that your back is hurt. You’ll need to connect the injury to the crash itself and, in serious injury cases, establish that someone else was responsible.

Under NY ISC § 5104, to pursue compensation from the other driver, you’ll have to show that the driver caused the crash and your back injury and that you meet the serious injury threshold.

Some types of evidence that can help establish fault, causation, and the severity of your injury include:

• Crash evidence – Police reports, pictures, videos, witness statements, and other evidence can show how the collision occurred and who caused it.
• Prompt medical records – Records documenting when your back symptoms began can help link them to the accident.
• Diagnostic testing – X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and other tests may provide objective evidence of spinal damage.
• Medical opinions – The doctors who treat you can explain how the forces involved in the crash caused or worsened your condition.
• Prior medical records – Comparing your condition before and after the collision can be especially important if the insurer alleges your back problems existed beforehand.

Can I Sue for Back Pain After a Car Accident?

New York is a no-fault car accident state. Under this system, every car owner must carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. Regardless of fault, an accident victim will seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, and crash-related expenses from their own PIP policy – or the driver’s if they were a passenger in the car. This system is intended to streamline the claims process and reduce the incidence of lawsuits.

In some cases, you may also be able to file a lawsuit against the person at fault for the accident. However, this is only an option when your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold under NY ISC § 5102. This route can allow you to claim compensation for additional losses, such as pain and suffering. Examples of serious injuries include:

• Dismemberment
• Severe disfigurement
• Broken or fractured bones
• Significant loss or limitation of use of a bodily member, function, organ, or system

In certain cases, back injuries can result in some of these severe outcomes. Consulting an experienced Queens car accident attorney can help you understand which legal options are available and most effective in your case.

How Much Is My Back Injury Claim Worth?

The value of a back injury claim depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, and the long-term effects on your life. No two cases are exactly alike. Some back injury claims may result in compensation of a few thousand dollars, while more severe cases involving permanent disability could lead to settlements of hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

Our Queens car accident attorneys will thoroughly evaluate all aspects of your case to determine appropriate compensation for your specific situation. They will ensure you pursue a fair amount that covers your current and future medical costs, lost wages, rehabilitation expenses, and other losses.

Types of Back Injuries After a Car Accident

Back injuries are among the most prevalent consequences of being involved in a car accident. Some of the most common types of collision-related back injuries include:

Herniated Discs

The spine is made up of several bones called vertebrae. Between each of these vertebrae is a spongy pad of cartilage called a “disc.” It protects the bones from grinding against each other and provides shock absorption. External trauma, such as from a car wreck, can cause one or more discs to pop out of place. This condition puts pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, causing significant pain and mobility issues.

Compression Fractures

The force of a traffic accident can also damage the vertebrae themselves. One form of damage occurs when the impact of a crash causes one or more vertebrae to collapse, resulting in a compression fracture. These fractures can take many months to heal, requiring intensive medical intervention.

Spinal Cord Damage

When a crash results in damage to the spinal cord itself, the body may be paralyzed below the injury site. In the case of a complete spinal cord injury where the cord is fully severed, this paralysis may be permanent. These conditions are expensive to treat, requiring lifelong adaptive devices and assistive care.

Our firm has significant experience securing compensation for people who have suffered these and other injuries.

Can a Pre-Existing Back Condition Affect My Claim?

Having a pre-existing back problem won’t automatically prevent you from recovering compensation after a Queens car accident. New York law allows you to seek financial recovery when a collision aggravates or worsens an existing condition. However, you need to be able to distinguish the effects of the crash from any symptoms or limitations you experienced prior to the collision.

For example, suppose you had degenerative disc disease, an old herniated disc, or lingering pain from an earlier injury before the crash. If your medical records show that your condition was stable or relatively symptom-free before the crash, they can help establish that the accident caused a meaningful change.

To show the types of changes you’ve experienced since the collision, The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. and our third-party medical experts may compare your pre- and post-accident:

• Imaging
• Range-of-motion testing
• Treatment needs
• Reported symptoms
• Physical restrictions

Because insurance companies are reluctant to pay settlements, especially if they believe they can blame your condition on a pre-existing injury, they may point to your medical history to dispute the relationship between the accident and your back injury symptoms. We’ll be prepared to fight back with ample medical documentation.

What Compensation Can I Recover for a Back Injury After a Car Crash?

Back injury compensation after a Queens car accident can help cover a wide range of crash-related expenses and losses. While the types and amount of compensation you may be entitled to depend on the specific facts of your case, car accident claims typically seek compensation for losses such as:

• Medical costs related to your hospital care, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, medication, and other necessary treatment
• Rehabilitation and ongoing care necessary for any ongoing pain or limitations
• Lost income if your car accident injuries prevent you from working while recovering
• Reduced future earnings if back problems limit your ability to earn a living in the future
• Non-economic effects of the crash, such as physical pain and emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life if your limitations prevent you from participating in the activities you previously enjoyed

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit for My Back Injury in New York?

In most cases, NY CPLR § 214 gives you three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit against an at-fault driver.

Still, if you wait too long after a collision, it can be harder to gather the evidence you need to build a persuasive claim. You should contact a car crash attorney as soon as possible to start the investigation.

Securing legal representation soon after an auto accident can also help make sure you’re working with the proper deadline in mind. Some types of cases, such as those involving government entities, operate on tighter timeframes. Failing to file on time can jeopardize your right to seek financial recovery.

Get in Touch with Our Experienced Queens Car Accident Attorneys for Help

Sustaining a back injury in an accident can disrupt every aspect of your life. Understanding how to move forward can feel confusing, but it is essential to remember that help is available. At The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., we are passionate about serving injured individuals in their time of need. Let our award-winning car accident lawyers advocate for you and work to maximize your compensation. Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation with a skilled back injury attorney in Queens.

*Each case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.